Ball of Lightning - Please make it less useless

Glory

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Dracane

Declined !

Teargrants

The obvious change was to make it the same as reflective scales w/ 4 projectile limit. Instead they made the skill completely useless on top of all the other nerfs, why should anyone choose this over streak now?

All I see is Eric Wrobel wants to still have an easy time w/ sorcs when he switches from stam NB to mag NB, considering all the other changes to NB (+15% mag regen anyone?).

SorataArisugawa

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Draehl

The cost increase was admittedly un-needed, but the BoL orb was ridiculously strong against other casters- that bit was bound to get nerfed. Even 4 projectiles max - Dragonknights have a completely different kit with that kind of defense being appropriate. It's simply not appropriate for Sorcs given the class focus and overall design.

Ezareth

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

Teargrants

Draehl wrote: »

The cost increase was admittedly un-needed, but the BoL orb was ridiculously strong against other casters- that bit was bound to get nerfed. Even 4 projectiles max - Dragonknights have a completely different kit with that kind of defense being appropriate. It's simply not appropriate for Sorcs given the class focus and overall design.

Allow me to explain: Ball of Light is already buggy - in the same manner as cloak used to be, any projectile already fired at you before the ball renders still hits you instead of the ball. ie, I blink as you crushing shock, crushing shock will hit me as the ball renders once blink animation ends. With this change, then in just 1.5 sec that ball is completely useless, that's barely the time to absorb 1 more attack, given the GCD.

k2blader

Draehl wrote: »

The cost increase was admittedly un-needed, but the BoL orb was ridiculously strong against other casters- that bit was bound to get nerfed. Even 4 projectiles max - Dragonknights have a completely different kit with that kind of defense being appropriate. It's simply not appropriate for Sorcs given the class focus and overall design.

The 6 seconds could be toned down, but 1.5 seconds is a joke, lol. I mean, Zeni designed BoL to be the defensive morph, right?

So what is the sorc focus and overall design?

If the answer is high magic damage the class needs more than just that. Assuming the BE cost increase is still there, mobility is decreasing and shields are nerfed too.

Draehl

Teargrants wrote: »

Draehl wrote: »

The cost increase was admittedly un-needed, but the BoL orb was ridiculously strong against other casters- that bit was bound to get nerfed. Even 4 projectiles max - Dragonknights have a completely different kit with that kind of defense being appropriate. It's simply not appropriate for Sorcs given the class focus and overall design.

Allow me to explain: Ball of Light is already buggy - in the same manner as cloak used to be, any projectile already fired at you before the ball renders still hits you instead of the ball. ie, I blink as you crushing shock, crushing shock will hit me as the ball renders once blink animation ends. With this change, then in just 1.5 sec that ball is completely useless, that's barely the time to absorb 1 more attack, given the GCD.

I think we're actually in agreement here. I think that 1.5 seconds (maybe even a touch longer would be reasonable) should be ironclad protection from projectiles (tech issues non-withstanding) but the problem on live is Sorcs using it, then turning around and nuking in a complete non-escape fashion for god-mode against certain caster builds that only have projectiles. The duration of the orb is such that the increased cost debuff elapses before they need to cast it again, thus they can sustain it forever. That element is broken and these patch notes are one of the best changes for PvP since the game launched.

The orb effectively covering your escape is also broken, but needs to be fixed however they can as its clearly the intended purpose of the skill.

Teargrants

One other thing for you sorcs out there, remember the old bolt escape bug where your character would grunt when blinking? It's back.

Glory

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

Testing, I would much rather use streak over ball, because that 1 second is neglibible. I would understand 3-4 seconds or so, but 1.5 seconds is wholly unimportant.

Zlater

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah BoL is useless, the tech issues won't be getting fixed either, it would mean adding another check on ability release and also after the cast. I don't think the delay will be fixed.

What makes it tricky is that stam gap closers are so strong that you need to bolt again, and also for the extra ball just to make sure projectiles are absorbed. So it puts you without magicka and without enough for a shield. So should you continue using bolt..? Well no, it's much better to spam immovable or defensive posture to to avoid the cc and then roll dodge, because... that does cost, but it's reliable and is better against projectiles.

Plus side is that Umm surge is getting another nerf, so you can continue to not use that to your hearts content ;P Oh and pets can crit too now, with overall less damage, so that's cool. But overload balls are bigger! Cause size matters. Liquid Lightning also did a shocking 180 with its damage too so you you can now use another awesome pun in the forums. This update is super good for sorcerers, I think you'll like it. Especially now Nb's can light attack you to death, #buffsfortheemosorc but seriously, at least sorcs are great for PvE tanking now! This will be a thing, just joking, DK's will probably always insist they are the only tank class. -.-

So what shall a sorc do? Well you can uh do Umm... Oh, funny things like emotes in awkward places! That's useful xD and fishing is also good now too. You should make an argonian fishing sorcerer. That is so great, I'm a genius!

Derra

It´s one of the best changes in the patch. BOL is still useful but it´s no longer op against magica builds.

SorataArisugawa

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

When do you use runeprison? I am looking forward to learn something new
Where do you get that nerving it from 6,5 to 1,5 is not a big nerv? Espcially now when you can't blink fast away?

SorataArisugawa

Zlater wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah BoL is useless, the tech issues won't be getting fixed either, it would mean adding another check on ability release and also after the cast. I don't think the delay will be fixed.

What makes it tricky is that stam gap closers are so strong that you need to bolt again, and also for the extra ball just to make sure projectiles are absorbed. So it puts you without magicka and without enough for a shield. So should you continue using bolt..? Well no, it's much better to spam immovable or defensive posture to to avoid the cc and then roll dodge, because... that does cost, but it's reliable and is better against projectiles.

Plus side is that Umm surge is getting another nerf, so you can continue to not use that to your hearts content ;P Oh and pets can crit too now, with overall less damage, so that's cool. But overload balls are bigger! Cause size matters. Liquid Lightning also did a shocking 180 with its damage too so you you can now use another awesome pun in the forums. This update is super good for sorcerers, I think you'll like it. Especially now Nb's can light attack you to death, #buffsfortheemosorc but seriously, at least sorcs are great for PvE tanking now! This will be a thing, just joking, DK's will probably always insist they are the only tank class. -.-

So what shall a sorc do? Well you can uh do Umm... Oh, funny things like emotes in awkward places! That's useful xD and fishing is also good now too. You should make an argonian fishing sorcerer. That is so great, I'm a genius!

why are the changes to surge a nerv? Surges duration is longer now and is costs less, or?

Zlater

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Zlater wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah BoL is useless, the tech issues won't be getting fixed either, it would mean adding another check on ability release and also after the cast. I don't think the delay will be fixed.

What makes it tricky is that stam gap closers are so strong that you need to bolt again, and also for the extra ball just to make sure projectiles are absorbed. So it puts you without magicka and without enough for a shield. So should you continue using bolt..? Well no, it's much better to spam immovable or defensive posture to to avoid the cc and then roll dodge, because... that does cost, but it's reliable and is better against projectiles.

Plus side is that Umm surge is getting another nerf, so you can continue to not use that to your hearts content ;P Oh and pets can crit too now, with overall less damage, so that's cool. But overload balls are bigger! Cause size matters. Liquid Lightning also did a shocking 180 with its damage too so you you can now use another awesome pun in the forums. This update is super good for sorcerers, I think you'll like it. Especially now Nb's can light attack you to death, #buffsfortheemosorc but seriously, at least sorcs are great for PvE tanking now! This will be a thing, just joking, DK's will probably always insist they are the only tank class. -.-

So what shall a sorc do? Well you can uh do Umm... Oh, funny things like emotes in awkward places! That's useful xD and fishing is also good now too. You should make an argonian fishing sorcerer. That is so great, I'm a genius!

why are the changes to surge a nerv? Surges duration is longer now and is costs less, or?

It can tick more, but since you can't use it on dot's anymore it actually tics less. The nerf to liquid Lightning wouldn't have helped it much anyway. Still very useless in endgame dps.

Derra

Zlater wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Zlater wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah BoL is useless, the tech issues won't be getting fixed either, it would mean adding another check on ability release and also after the cast. I don't think the delay will be fixed.

What makes it tricky is that stam gap closers are so strong that you need to bolt again, and also for the extra ball just to make sure projectiles are absorbed. So it puts you without magicka and without enough for a shield. So should you continue using bolt..? Well no, it's much better to spam immovable or defensive posture to to avoid the cc and then roll dodge, because... that does cost, but it's reliable and is better against projectiles.

Plus side is that Umm surge is getting another nerf, so you can continue to not use that to your hearts content ;P Oh and pets can crit too now, with overall less damage, so that's cool. But overload balls are bigger! Cause size matters. Liquid Lightning also did a shocking 180 with its damage too so you you can now use another awesome pun in the forums. This update is super good for sorcerers, I think you'll like it. Especially now Nb's can light attack you to death, #buffsfortheemosorc but seriously, at least sorcs are great for PvE tanking now! This will be a thing, just joking, DK's will probably always insist they are the only tank class. -.-

So what shall a sorc do? Well you can uh do Umm... Oh, funny things like emotes in awkward places! That's useful xD and fishing is also good now too. You should make an argonian fishing sorcerer. That is so great, I'm a genius!

why are the changes to surge a nerv? Surges duration is longer now and is costs less, or?

It can tick more, but since you can't use it on dot's anymore it actually tics less. The nerf to liquid Lightning wouldn't have helped it much anyway. Still very useless in endgame dps.

Liquid lightning still proccs it tho.

Germtrocity

BoL was actually made more effective if the player is using it as its intended purpose. Ball of Lightning was always the defensive morph of it, with the intended use to give a player a safer escape. People just used it to completely shut down magicka builds which was only possible because it was intended to be a powerful safety measure to escape.

While I strongly disagree with many of the changes 1.7 is bringing so far, I think that Ball of Lightning is going to finally be in the place it was supposed to be in previously. That's just how it is, streak for offense and BoL for defense. BoL is ridiculously OP against other caster builds in the current live game, and I can't help but stifle a laugh when I see BoL sorcerers die to other caster builds.

And to be fair, it actually became much less buggy since there can only be one ball. If you are using it for its intended escape purpose, it has become more powerful as the ball will now always absorb projectiles instead of bugging out and just being a useless visual effect.

Maulkin

Derra wrote: »

It´s one of the best changes in the patch. BOL is still useful but it´s no longer op against magica builds.

I would agree, but I don't because of what @Teargrants said.

If BoL'ing would redirect already incoming projectiles on to the BoL, like Cloak misses incoming projectiles, then I would be fine with it. It would make it a more reactive skill (like cloak is) and you could use it to avoid a projectile every 4", rather than its current form where you can tank projectiles indefinitely.

And along with that they'd have to fix the bug where the BoL just straight up breaks and absorbs nothing while just sitting in front of you.

Yes 6+ secs was too much, I'm wholly behind this reduction as a concept. But 1.5" duration with the hugely increasing cost and the bugs makes it now a vastly inferior option to Streak, ergo useless. And that's not a good thing

SorataArisugawa

mike.gaziotisb16_ESO wrote: »

Derra wrote: »

It´s one of the best changes in the patch. BOL is still useful but it´s no longer op against magica builds.

I would agree, but I don't because of what @Teargrants said.

If BoL'ing would redirect already incoming projectiles on to the BoL, like Cloak misses incoming projectiles, then I would be fine with it. It would make it a more reactive skill (like cloak is) and you could use it to avoid a projectile every 4", rather than its current form where you can tank projectiles indefinitely.

And along with that they'd have to fix the bug where the BoL just straight up breaks and absorbs nothing while just sitting in front of you.

Yes 6+ secs was too much, I'm wholly behind this reduction as a concept. But 1.5" duration with the hugely increasing cost and the bugs makes it now a vastly inferior option to Streak, ergo useless. And that's not a good thing

^This

DisgracefulMind

I'm having a hard time feeling any remorse for BoL users. But perhaps the 1.5 second duration is a bit too short. Then again, streak gives CC immunity, so welcome to being an offensive Sorc.

Derra

mike.gaziotisb16_ESO wrote: »

Derra wrote: »

It´s one of the best changes in the patch. BOL is still useful but it´s no longer op against magica builds.

I would agree, but I don't because of what @Teargrants said.

If BoL'ing would redirect already incoming projectiles on to the BoL, like Cloak misses incoming projectiles, then I would be fine with it. It would make it a more reactive skill (like cloak is) and you could use it to avoid a projectile every 4", rather than its current form where you can tank projectiles indefinitely.

And along with that they'd have to fix the bug where the BoL just straight up breaks and absorbs nothing while just sitting in front of you.

Yes 6+ secs was too much, I'm wholly behind this reduction as a concept. But 1.5" duration with the hugely increasing cost and the bugs makes it now a vastly inferior option to Streak, ergo useless. And that's not a good thing

The bugs happen only when the user has too many bols up (and as a cause of the duration - it actually does not work for the full 6.5s - more about 4.5 to 5).

With the changes you will have a functioning ball while performing 2 to 4 streaks to get out of range of attackers. It´s a vaible defensive morph choice. I think it´s fine the way it is now.

Maulkin

The key was to move the Ball's duration below the time threshold after which the cost increase disappears. That way the BoL Sorc either has to swallow the increasing cost, or leave himself open to attacks for a period of time. I just feel 1.5" is too short given the limitations I explained above. 2.5-3" would have been far more reasonable.

If I see someone casting frags and I BoL, I will still get hit, because he casted it before (or while) I BoL'ed. With the new duration, by the time I cc break and get back up, the BoL has disappeared and I'm still under increasing cost penalty.So I swallowed the damage and the CC break cost and got 0 protection and I still am under cost penalty.

They either need to increase the duration a bit or make it a more reactive skill where if you press the button any projectiles that were travelling towards you get immediately redirected to the BoL or miss. The latter is my preference as it at least rewards paying attention to the battlefield and reacting to threats rather than the longer duration option which gives you more care-free tank time.

So yeah, I'd be happy with 1.5" duration if incoming projectiles instantly miss/absorb, á la Cloak.

Dracane

Derra wrote: »

The bugs happen only when the user has too many bols up (and as a cause of the duration - it actually does not work for the full 6.5s - more about 4.5 to 5).

With the changes you will have a functioning ball while performing 2 to 4 streaks to get out of range of attackers. It´s a vaible defensive morph choice. I think it´s fine the way it is now.

I agree. I think it is more than enough now. You were using BoL for such a long time. And if YOU say, it's fine now, then it IS fine.

Maulkin

Derra wrote: »

mike.gaziotisb16_ESO wrote: »

Derra wrote: »

It´s one of the best changes in the patch. BOL is still useful but it´s no longer op against magica builds.

I would agree, but I don't because of what @Teargrants said.

If BoL'ing would redirect already incoming projectiles on to the BoL, like Cloak misses incoming projectiles, then I would be fine with it. It would make it a more reactive skill (like cloak is) and you could use it to avoid a projectile every 4", rather than its current form where you can tank projectiles indefinitely.

And along with that they'd have to fix the bug where the BoL just straight up breaks and absorbs nothing while just sitting in front of you.

Yes 6+ secs was too much, I'm wholly behind this reduction as a concept. But 1.5" duration with the hugely increasing cost and the bugs makes it now a vastly inferior option to Streak, ergo useless. And that's not a good thing

The bugs happen only when the user has too many bols up (and as a cause of the duration - it actually does not work for the full 6.5s - more about 4.5 to 5).

With the changes you will have a functioning ball while performing 2 to 4 streaks to get out of range of attackers. It´s a vaible defensive morph choice. I think it´s fine the way it is now.

Not really. It happens to me in duels a lot and I never have more than 2 BoLs up as I refresh the last one just as the previous one finishes. With 1.5" duration you will still be able to have 2 BoLs up at any time so the bug will still happen, even if it's less often than it currently does.

If what they cared about was fixing the bug, they could simply remove previous Balls when a new one spawns. Which would:
a) make it more reliable
b) de-clutter the screen and animations that have to be rendered

Edit: To clarify, when you say "the bugs" (plural) what do you mean? There is only one bug where the BoL stops working. The fact that mid-air projectiles hit you after you've BoL'ed is an in-game mechanic that is reproducible 100% of the time. That one is not bug. Same used to happen to cloak and then they changed it so those projectiles miss. Id' be happy with the same change and leaving the 1.5" duration as is.

Ezareth

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

When do you use runeprison? I am looking forward to learn something new
Where do you get that nerving it from 6,5 to 1,5 is not a big nerv? Espcially now when you can't blink fast away?

I use the defensive rune morph all the time. It's on my overload bar and is a free easy stun against anyone who attacks you, especially useful against stealth attacks.

1.5 from 6.5 *is* a nerf, but it also fixes the biggest bug with bolt escape which causes your oldest Ball of light to absorb projectiles which you could outrange. Now they will expire much quicker and you'll receive at least some protection. As a Sorc, magick damage (Which hits BoL) is your least worry so it's not a big deal.

The real issue is with the cost increase of successive bolts, BoL becomes less useful since you're not going to be able to bolt away from the zerg, so for the first time I likely will switch to streak since Bolt Escape will become an offensive ability more than an escape.

lostavalon

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

When do you use runeprison? I am looking forward to learn something new
Where do you get that nerving it from 6,5 to 1,5 is not a big nerv? Espcially now when you can't blink fast away?

well rune prison is now an instant cast so its alot more useful in more situations ^_^
if only it was insta cast now

Maulkin

lostavalon wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

When do you use runeprison? I am looking forward to learn something new
Where do you get that nerving it from 6,5 to 1,5 is not a big nerv? Espcially now when you can't blink fast away?

well rune prison is now an instant cast so its alot more useful in more situations ^_^
if only it was insta cast now

That's not in the patch notes. Did that really happen? Awesome if it did.

RinaldoGandolphi

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

When do you use runeprison? I am looking forward to learn something new
Where do you get that nerving it from 6,5 to 1,5 is not a big nerv? Espcially now when you can't blink fast away?

I use the defensive rune morph all the time. It's on my overload bar and is a free easy stun against anyone who attacks you, especially useful against stealth attacks.

1.5 from 6.5 *is* a nerf, but it also fixes the biggest bug with bolt escape which causes your oldest Ball of light to absorb projectiles which you could outrange. Now they will expire much quicker and you'll receive at least some protection. As a Sorc, magick damage (Which hits BoL) is your least worry so it's not a big deal.

The real issue is with the cost increase of successive bolts, BoL becomes less useful since you're not going to be able to bolt away from the zerg, so for the first time I likely will switch to streak since Bolt Escape will become an offensive ability more than an escape.

Ezareth becoming a Streak Sorc!?

I will probably do the same, I had been using Ball of Lighting since last July as watching your vids actually fit my more defensive nature. Now however, since like you say, running from zergs is not going to be much of an option anymore, and really 1.5 secs for a Ball is not enough to get off anything with a cast time against Crushing Shock Spammers(which is what i used it for) So the increased costs to successive bolts makes Streak really the choice now.

Sorc's don't have any instant Cast Direct Damage Class skills, Mage's Wrath is not even viable as a filler as it is terrible for damage unless the target is at 20% health but its good for procing Frags. That style also requires more kiting, so Boundless Storm and its movement speed bonus will be more important now with the lesser ball duration and increased cost stacking I think for Sword and Board caster Sorc's. Destro Staff Sorc's have Crushing Shock Spam as a filler for good damage to proc frags, however it will be nearly impossible for non-destro staff magic Sorc's to be able to cast effectivly against Crushing Shock spammers with 1.5 sec balls....its simply not feabile to have to cast 2-3 times just to cast one spell.

nope better off to Rune Cage or Streak them into a Frag Combo, or Rune Cage them into Soul Assault when you know their stamina is low and finish them off without them being able to do anything about it. Since Rune Cage does not break with Soul Assault because its a DOT, it will be the non-destro staffs counter to the Crushing Shock spammer as Rune Cage can't be blocked either.

Crushing Shock got a HUGE buff with this nerf to Ball of Lighting. IMO

Glory

As others have said, I am completely fine with the reduced duration yet feel that 1.5 seconds was too much. At this point you would be foolish to take BoL as it has no usefulness compared to streak.

For those bashing on BoL users, I simply say that I quickly became sick of stacking shields and maxing damage while bolting 5 times in 1.6, so I chose BoL to defend myself (I actually stood next to my ball instead of streaking 10 times). I don't judge you building to one shot combo people, please don't just those who play differently than you.

Ezareth

RinaldoGandolphi wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

SorataArisugawa wrote: »

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

I understand that you felt the need to nerf all forms of streak. But double nerfing BoL and making it have 1 second of usefulness? That's just mean!

Yeah a nother useless skill now. 1 second... What the actual... But runeprison needed some friends....

Rune Prison is hardly useless.

It's 1.5 Seconds.

It's not as big of a nerf as you think, and it fixes the bug with BoL.

Test before complaining.

When do you use runeprison? I am looking forward to learn something new
Where do you get that nerving it from 6,5 to 1,5 is not a big nerv? Espcially now when you can't blink fast away?

I use the defensive rune morph all the time. It's on my overload bar and is a free easy stun against anyone who attacks you, especially useful against stealth attacks.

1.5 from 6.5 *is* a nerf, but it also fixes the biggest bug with bolt escape which causes your oldest Ball of light to absorb projectiles which you could outrange. Now they will expire much quicker and you'll receive at least some protection. As a Sorc, magick damage (Which hits BoL) is your least worry so it's not a big deal.

The real issue is with the cost increase of successive bolts, BoL becomes less useful since you're not going to be able to bolt away from the zerg, so for the first time I likely will switch to streak since Bolt Escape will become an offensive ability more than an escape.

Ezareth becoming a Streak Sorc!?

I will probably do the same, I had been using Ball of Lighting since last July as watching your vids actually fit my more defensive nature. Now however, since like you say, running from zergs is not going to be much of an option anymore, and really 1.5 secs for a Ball is not enough to get off anything with a cast time against Crushing Shock Spammers(which is what i used it for) So the increased costs to successive bolts makes Streak really the choice now.

Sorc's don't have any instant Cast Direct Damage Class skills, Mage's Wrath is not even viable as a filler as it is terrible for damage unless the target is at 20% health but its good for procing Frags. That style also requires more kiting, so Boundless Storm and its movement speed bonus will be more important now with the lesser ball duration and increased cost stacking I think for Sword and Board caster Sorc's. Destro Staff Sorc's have Crushing Shock Spam as a filler for good damage to proc frags, however it will be nearly impossible for non-destro staff magic Sorc's to be able to cast effectivly against Crushing Shock spammers with 1.5 sec balls....its simply not feabile to have to cast 2-3 times just to cast one spell.

nope better off to Rune Cage or Streak them into a Frag Combo, or Rune Cage them into Soul Assault when you know their stamina is low and finish them off without them being able to do anything about it. Since Rune Cage does not break with Soul Assault because its a DOT, it will be the non-destro staffs counter to the Crushing Shock spammer as Rune Cage can't be blocked either.

Crushing Shock got a HUGE buff with this nerf to Ball of Lighting. IMO

Yeah Crushing Shock is already far too powerful but my main issue with it is the fact that it hits for 3 times and for blocking purposes that needs to be changed (especially now that Blocking stops stam regen).

ebethke_ESO wrote: »

As others have said, I am completely fine with the reduced duration yet feel that 1.5 seconds was too much. At this point you would be foolish to take BoL as it has no usefulness compared to streak.

For those bashing on BoL users, I simply say that I quickly became sick of stacking shields and maxing damage while bolting 5 times in 1.6, so I chose BoL to defend myself (I actually stood next to my ball instead of streaking 10 times). I don't judge you building to one shot combo people, please don't just those who play differently than you.

Standing next to my Ball of Light was something I worked out a long time ago to kill multiple sorcs attacking me at once.

However with 1.6 STaff heavy attacks already ignored BoL and it was quite easy to bug someone's BoL out so now the slight advantage BoL had over streak was removed.

If the bolt escape stacking increase were not occuring however I'd still consider BoL better because it fixes the bug. 1.5 seconds is better than none at all which was possible to do when it lasted 6.5 seconds.